Neural development of working memory and episodic memory

Common mechanisms of working memory and episodic memory: typical and atypical development

A child’s achievement at school and further academic career is highly dependent on the integrity of memory operations. To develop hypotheses on how neural mechanisms, brain development and neural injuries affects memory performance at school is therefore of crucial importance for parents, teachers, and clinicians. Two subtypes of memory are proposed to be predictive: Working memory as a model of short-term memory and episodic memory as a subtype of long-term memory. Both memory types may share neural mechanisms, develop rather late, and be vulnerable to similar neural impairments. We, therefore, aim to examine which neural mechanisms underlying working memory and episodic memory are conjointly associated with memory performance.

The aims of this project are:

• to investigate the relationship between neuronal mechanisms of working memory and episodic memory.
• to investigate the neural development of working memory and episodic memory.
• to investigate atypical patterns of working memory and episodic memory in children born with neonatal surgically corrected congenital heart disease.

Collaborations

PD Dr. Bea Latal, Child Development Center, Children’s University Hospital, Zurich

Prof. Guillén Fernández, Donders Center for Cognitive Neuroimaging and Cognitive Neurology, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Dr. Durk Talsma, Department of Cognitive Psychology and Ergonomics, University of Twente at Enschede, The Netherlands

Contact

Dr. rer. nat. Peter Klaver
peter.klaverkispi.uzh.ch

Karoline Wurmitzer
karoline.wurmitzerkispi.uzh.ch

David von Allmen
david.vonallmenkispi.uzh.ch

Funding Source

Swiss National Foundation (Project Nr. SNF CR13I1-127115)

Project duration

Oct 2009 – 2012